Martin Luther King Jr. / Department of Public Records

Indian American elected officials across the United States marked Martin Luther King Jr. Day by invoking the civil rights leader’s words and legacy, using the occasion to call for renewed action on racial, social and economic justice.

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Rep. Pramila Jayapal (WA-07) said the country is in “a difficult moment” and warned against forces that “push to divide us.”

“In times like these, it is up to us to come together and push more quickly towards justice,” she wrote, adding that Americans honor King “by continuing to fight for racial, social, and economic justice for all Americans.”

As we find ourselves in a difficult moment in this country's history, as fear and anger push to divide us — I am reminded of these words from Dr. King.

In times like these, it is up to us to come together and push more quickly towards justice. pic.twitter.com/pdfvhYbfRm

— Rep. Pramila Jayapal (@RepJayapal) January 19, 2026

Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi (IL-08) said King’s life demonstrated the power of individual resolve combined with collective action. “His legacy, and the movement he catalyzed, underscores the impact that one person's determination – along with collective action – can have on society,” he said, calling King’s legacy “a call to action to confront injustice everywhere it persists.”

 

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s legacy is defined by his unwavering pursuit of justice, peace, equity, and human dignity. Honoring him today is also a call to action to confront injustice everywhere it persists. pic.twitter.com/COk29VloyG

— Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi (@CongressmanRaja) January 19, 2026

Rep. Shri Thanedar (MI-13) said the day was an opportunity to recommit to King’s vision. “Today, we recommit ourselves to working so that the arc of the moral universe again bends toward justice,” he said, adding that King’s courage and vision moved the nation “closer to justice, equality, and opportunity for all.”

On Martin Luther King Jr. Day, we celebrate the dream of Dr. King by carrying on his fight for justice and equality.

Today, we recommit ourselves to working so that the arc of the moral universe again bends toward justice. pic.twitter.com/Cb0qDP3ifR

— Congressman Shri Thanedar (@RepShriThanedar) January 19, 2026

In New York City, Mayor Zohran Mamdani recalled King’s 1964 visit to City Hall after receiving the Nobel Peace Prize. Quoting King’s address to a packed crowd: “Those who have sat so long in darkness now find themselves lighting the way for others… They will hold this torch high without faltering because they have weathered the battering storms of persecution and withstood the temptation to retreat to a more quiet and serene life.” 

Mamdani said the words “continue to inspire and guide us, on MLK day and every day that follows.”

In 1964, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. visited New York City on his way home from accepting the Nobel Peace Prize in Norway. Speaking to a packed crowd at City Hall, Dr. King said,

"Those who have sat so long in darkness now find themselves lighting the way for others... They… pic.twitter.com/f4omBvqb9f

— Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani (@NYCMayor) January 19, 2026

New York State Assemblywoman Jenifer Rajkumar said she was joining “all Americans in re-committing to the work started by civil rights hero Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.,” adding, “Together we will achieve the dream of equality, opportunity, love & freedom for which he lived and fought.”

Today I join all Americans in re-committing to the work started by civil rights hero Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

Together we will achieve the dream of equality, opportunity, love & freedom for which he lived and fought.#IHaveADream pic.twitter.com/zUUsTcz1OD

— Jenifer Rajkumar (@JeniferRajkumar) January 19, 2026

State Senator Kannan Srinivasan said the day was to “celebrate and honor the life of Martin Luther King Jr. – and recommit ourselves to living up to his aspirational ideals of equity and justice for all.”

Today, we celebrate and honor the life of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. - and recommit ourselves to living up to his aspirational ideals of equity and justice for all. pic.twitter.com/WkKFxIH5eL

— Senator Kannan Srinivasan (@Kannanforva) January 19, 2026

Assemblyman Ravi Bhalla, who recently completed his term as mayor of Hoboken, focused on King’s emphasis on economic justice. 

“Dr. King reminded us that you cannot have true equality without fair wages, good jobs, and access to stable housing. He understood that civil rights and economic rights are deeply intertwined,” Bhalla said, citing King’s writing that “the solution to poverty is to abolish it directly by a now widely discussed measure: the guaranteed income.” 

Bhalla said his final act as mayor was to initiate a Guaranteed Basic Income pilot and that he hopes to continue advocating for the policy as a state legislator.

On this MLK Day, as economic disparity continues to widen and “affordability” is on everyone’s mind, I find myself reflecting on Dr. King’s focus on economic justice as essential to achieving equal rights and racial justice.

Dr. King reminded us that you cannot have true… pic.twitter.com/3mCT3Ajmcs

— Ravinder S. Bhalla (@RaviBhalla) January 19, 2026

The federal holiday observed on the third Monday of January each year is marked by events, service activities and public statements across the country reflecting on King’s role in the civil rights movement and his continued relevance to debates on racial equality, economic justice and social equity.

Discover more at New India Abroad.